Boro chase a third consecutive win for the first time this season when they entertain Dnipro on Thursday.

It's an indication that the team might finally be capable of achieving the consistency that Steve McClaren has been demanding.

While the players were absolutely outstanding against Manchester United, McClaren made his contribution by getting the balance right at last.

The three-defenders formation worked a treat, and looks to be the way ahead while McClaren waits on left-winger Stewart Downing to recover from his knee operation.

The system is ideal in accommodating the current personnel. For starters, McClaren is able to included Emanuel Pogatetz and Franck Queudrue in the same team.

The formation has also found an ideal role not only for Fabio Rochemback, but also for man of the match, Gaizka Mendieta.

Rochemback may struggle in a flat four-man midfield, but the five is superb from his point of view, because it takes away the defensive pressures and allows him to get forward.

Mendieta has rarely looked totally happy on wide right, yet looks a different player when tucked inside.

Surely it's now obvious where he needs to play to be used to the best effect.

Another bonus of playing with three centre-backs is that McClaren can select two strikers, which means there's no need to adopt the 4-5-1 formation which was such a disaster against Portsmouth.

Mendi apart, perhaps the biggest success story of the 4-1 win against United was 18-year-old Matthew Bates.

The teenager could hardly have played any better against such illustrious opponents, attacking the ball with great determination, and winning lots of vital headers.

McClaren will now use the formation on a regular basis, though not every time, and it will be interesting to see what plans he has in store for Thursday, especially as Rochemback is both injured and suspended.